The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-12
DOESN'T LIKE THE MESSAGE.
The Argument OF Republican Mer-
chant Against His Own Interest.

The Argument OF Republican Mer-
chant Against His Own Interest.
To the Editor Of the Appeal;
Sir--Now let the battle begin. The Pres
ident OF the United States has delivered TO
the Congress the text from which for the
next ten months will be preached, upon
every stump and from every editorial sane
tum in the land, political homilies and
dissertations that cannot fail TO add i'm
mcnsely to the peoples fund of economic
knowledge. For this, at least, there is
reason for sincere congratulation. He has
written message which, while ignoring
everything and everybody but the tariff,
seems to say simply: "Bcholdl I am Gro
yer Cleveland, the great free trader, the
civil service reformer, the great American
what is it. of the western continent, and
beside me there is not another" This is
bold and defiant. The Democracy having
officially thrown down the free trade gaunt-
let, the protectionis,s OF Tennessee and
North Carolina and Virginia and West
Virginia will now rush with alacrity TO
take it up and join with their fellows in
other States TO carry their banner into the
White-house and halls Of Congress in the
year which is destined TO become, historic
ally, forever memorable-thc year 1885,
The manufacturers OF the United States,
whether oi wool or cotton or iron or cop
per, or Of whatsoever character, will now
begin TO realize, rs they have not done
before, the extreme crisis that directly
| confronts them at every turn. The laborcrs
- faNa
county, town and hamlet will be asked to
| look squarcly in the face the problem Of
future cuts in their wages 10 hall rates, so
rs 10 be on q parity with those OF other
nations whose free trade policies the De-
mocracy now ask MS to adopt aud with
| whose products ours will have then 10
compete in the daily markets OF the world.
The immense mineral, cotton, wool. oil
| and other interests now developing,
| through the fostering care OF protection, in
| Alabama, Tennessee, West Virginia North
| Carolina, and all over the southern States,
will find ii absolutely necessary TO begin
| To prepare a way OF escape for their vested
| interests in the event OF the establishment
| by the Democracy of their free trade theo-
ries. The cotton and woolen-mills Of the
south must begin 10 prepare for closing.
| The iron iorgCs and steel rail makers must
either quit business or reduce one-lfMf the
wages OF their laborers in order 10 COM
pete with foreign manufacturers. Now,
are the people ready for this? Dothe manu-
| featuring capitalists, who may happen to
be of Democratic proclivitics, feel inclined,
at the wild suggestion Of mere theorists, 10
| jeoparlize the honest accumulatiOns OF
| lives OF toilY DO the labores, who are de-
pendent upon the prosperity OF these mills
for their daily wages To buy their frugal
| living, stand ready TO join. by their votes
in eliecting this runous condition? II re-
mains 10 he seen whether mere traditions
and prejudices Of early education are
strong enough TO hold southern voters 10 q
theory which, while slavery existed, was
mt least logical in the south, but which,
under the era OF freedom, has been robbed
OF every sound prop or argument
DO farmers desire 10 inaugurate a ma
tional policy that will close the factories Of
the land and drive their artisans into the
country TO further increase agricultural
productions at the cost Of far lower prices
therefor? On the contrary, would IL not
be far better for their interests TO 40 en-
courage the growth OF manufactures and
increase their artisans as TO create an aug
mented demand for country produce,
thereby adding 10 the gains OF the farmers
OF the land2 These, II seems 10 me, are
practical questions that directly concern
the meat and bread Of the whole people,
and, stripped Of all sophistical gloss, arc
worthy the thoughtful answers OF Amcri-
can voters in the coming presidential cam
paign.
Mr.. Cleveland has thought the question
Of - transcendent importance a. 10 send
| IA. h.t oil
other issues
The improvement Of the Mississippi
river he thinks, apparently, Of little i'm.
portance. The building oi u navy, which
shall raise the United States from her
present contemplate position on the seas.
M compared with other nations, does not
seem 10 demand his present notice. The
rights Of American fishermen" which IL
now occupying diplomatic discussion be
tween the two greatest III ail nations. !.
passed over by him n too trivial 10 enlist
his attention. The right OF American IT,
gnlly qualified voters 10 east an honest
ballot and have Il fairly counted receives
no recognition in his unique message. In
short, the only thing necessary, II We may
infer from his state paper. Is that the Ia
borers OF the United States shall be- put
upon the same basis as those OF mon.
hrrhical nations, which. by the force oil
their geographical surroundings aud
icudal systems, seem 90 make free trade
the better policy for their peculiar condi.
tons.
We, In broad free, grand, republican
! America, do not desire 10 propagate ans
I European systems. We are q law unto
ourselves Our history, our traditions, ON
, unlimited expansc, our capacity 10 take
care OF ourselves n though there were moi
another nation upon the oarlh-all thcse
demand that We inaugurntc and diligently
pursue a policy that will develop the Him
table riches Of our prodigious power and
! ~ hedge our natural resources 20 that. M
, matter what other nations may say or do
We shall be now and every ready 10 suppl,
/ from our fields, our workshops, from Oui
own brains whatever Of art, science Of
utility that may bc necessary 10 add 10 IN,
comfort, convenience, happincs or neccs
sity Of our people. II is not wise, nor is i
I necessary, Tor the United States 10 pursuC
, the precise policy that England woul,
, have her follow. Free trade is no doub
/ right enough Ms an abstract proposition
and we already wisely have II rs applied e
: our own 90, 10000 population. But free
, trade between ourselves aud all the othc
, nations Is quite another matter
! II IL were settled that in all the grca
/ hereafter there wis mover to be another
; / war between our nation and another, ever
! in that case ] can see some logic In IN,
! free traders argument. But that IL no
\ likely 10 be. Wars have periodically &C
| CURED from the origin II men, and nation
/ will probably continue In the future 10 re
= sort io force Of arms 20 settle intcnationa
a | ,,.lt.tltagaUIt..s. .I..au.tuf, sfia